On one hand, after overindulging during the holidays, most of us could stand to eat healthy this month. There are also those pesky resolutions to contend with.

On the other hand, our human instincts are to put on an extra layer of fat to insulate us against the arctic air.

We propose you feed both beasts when eating out by ordering a veggie burger. A good one can make you forget about that greasy patty of meat you're craving and help you slim down at the same time.

When we were looking for places to get a good one, we found most lists focused squarely on Minneapolis, which made us sad. There had to be good veggie burgers in St. Paul, right?

We're happy to report that there definitely are good places to get your fix in the capital city. Here are six meatless burgers we think rival the best of what Minneapolis has to offer.

GROUNDSWELL

The Veggie Burger ($7) consists of quinoa and black beans, flattened and charred, not just a little but a lot, so it's crunchy outside and chewy inside. Even the cheese on top is browned, and it's served on one of my favorite squishy buns and topped with tomato and spinach. Get it with a side of chipotle slaw, which is fresh, balanced and plenty spicy.

WARD 6

Of course, our go-to local watering hole has a great veggie burger. We just hadn't tried it yet, which was a shame. This one is also on the spicy side, but winter makes us crave something to heat us up. The Veggie Burger ($9, $10 with cheese) is a black-bean base that's crunchy on the outside and not too mushy inside. It's served on a toasted potato bun and accompanied by the restaurant's deep-golden hand-cut fries.

HAPPY GNOME

The least traditional "burger" on this list, the Fried Vegetable Juicy Lucy ($13) is comprised of strips of zucchini, summer squash, mushrooms and red pepper wrapped around fresh mozzarella. The whole thing is breaded and lightly fried, resulting in a satisfying, texturally interesting sandwich. It's served on a chewy ciabatta and topped with slightly spicy sriracha mayo.

BRASA

It's a little ironic that one of the best veggie burgers in town comes from a place mostly known for its slow-cooked meats. But Brasa's Black Bean Fritter ($6.95) is crispy outside and not overly spicy. It's topped with creamy fresh mozzarella and rich guacamole and served on a grilled ciabatta bun. It comes with the restaurant's fantastic crispy, salty, house-made tortilla chips.

SHISH

Like falafel? Craving a burger? Give Shish's Falafel Burger ($8.95) a try. A giant, crunchy, zippy and herbaceous falafel patty is topped with creamy hummus, hot sauce, avocado, tomato and onion and served with a side of knock-that-winter-cold-right-out-of-you garlic sauce. A shiny egg bun holds the entire concoction together, and the thin, skin-on fries are worth the extra calories.

TROTTER'S CAFE

Walnuts give this Veggie Burger ($8.75) its appealing crunch and are a good accompaniment to the ubiquitous black beans. Spices and peppers help make up for the burger's low salt level, and the restaurant's tasty, spongy multigrain focaccia is buttered and griddled, which helps it hold together. The laid-back coffee shop atmosphere at Trotter's is good for working or meeting a friend to chat over endless cups of java and a guilt-free burger.